Pencil box

Abstract

A portable supply container with a concave upwardly open bottom shell, a cover hinged to one side of the bottom shell and adapted to selectively cover the opening the bottom shell, and a downwardly facing concave top shell. The top shell has a first portion secured to the cover along one end and two sides, and a second portion connected to the first portion by a transverse hinge between the two sides. A first releasable connection is provided between the cover and the bottom shell on the other side of the bottom shell, and a second releasable connection is provided between the top shell second portion and the cover on the other end. The outer surface of the bottom shell has a non-slip surface having a different tactile feel than the outer surface of the top shell.

1 . A generally rectangular portable supply container having a two sides between opposite ends, comprising:
 a concave upwardly open generally rectangular bottom shell;   a generally rectangular cover hinged to one side of the bottom shell; and   a downwardly facing concave generally rectangular top shell, said top shell having
 a first portion secured to said cover along one end and two sides, and 
 a second portion connected to said first portion along a transverse hinge extending between said two sides. 
   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said transverse hinge biases said second portion toward closing against said cover. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein said transverse hinge is bowed inwardly toward said cover whereby an overcenter biasing force is applied to said second portion as said second portion approaches said cover. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of said bottom shell has a different tactile feel than the outer surface of said top shell. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a non-slip cover on the bottom of said bottom shell. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said non-slip cover has a different tactile feel than the outer surface of said top shell. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said sides have a length longer than the width of said ends. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a first releasable connection between said cover and said bottom shell on the other side of said bottom shell, and a second releasable connection between said top shell second portion and said cover on the other end. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said transverse hinge is substantially parallel to said ends. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said bottom shell has an outwardly extending flange spaced from and around its opening with a lip around the bottom shell opening projecting upwardly from said flange;   said cover includes a flat compartment-separating member with a lip extending upwardly and downwardly from the flat member around its periphery;   said top shell includes a downwardly projecting lip around its opening, with said top shell lip of said first portion received inside said upwardly extending cover lip;   when said cover closes said bottom shell, said downwardly extending cover lip engages said bottom shell flange with said bottom shell lip received inside said downwardly extending cover lip; and   when said top shell second portion is closed against said cover, said top shell lip is received inside said upwardly extending cover lip.   
   
   
       11 . A portable supply container having a two sides between opposite ends, comprising:
 a concave upwardly open bottom shell;   a cover hinged to one side of the bottom shell and adapted to selectively cover the opening said bottom shell;   a downwardly facing concave top shell, said top shell having
 a first portion secured to said cover along one end and two sides, and 
 a second portion connected to said first portion by a transverse hinge between said two sides; 
   a first releasable connection between said cover and said bottom shell on the other side of said bottom shell; and   a second releasable connection between said top shell second portion and said cover on the other end;   wherein the outer surface of said bottom shell has a non-slip surface having a different tactile feel than the outer surface of said top shell.   
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein said non-slip surface is defined by a rubber cover on the bottom of said bottom shell. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein said sides have a length longer than the width of said ends. 
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said bottom shell has an outwardly extending flange spaced from and around its opening with a lip around the bottom shell opening projecting upwardly from said flange;   said cover includes a flat compartment-separating member with a lip extending upwardly and downwardly from the flat member around its periphery;   said top shell includes a downwardly projecting lip around its opening, with said top shell lip of said first portion received inside said upwardly extending cover lip;   when said cover closes said bottom shell, said downwardly extending cover lip engages said bottom shell flange with said bottom shell lip received inside said downwardly extending cover lip; and   when said top shell second portion is closed against said cover, said top shell lip is received inside said upwardly extending cover lip.   
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein said transverse hinge biases said second portion toward closing against said cover. 
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein said transverse hinge is bowed inwardly toward said cover whereby an overcenter biasing force is applied to said second portion as said second portion approaches said cover.